'Huts' on the facade of Centre Pompidou in Paris by Tadashi Kawamata, photo by Hervé Véronèse, Centre Pompidou, 2010

The Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata is well known for his architectural installations made from humble, sometimes recycled materials such as cardboard boxes or disused timber. One of his newest creations are wooden huts hanging like wesp’s nests between the beams and pillars of the structural facade of Centre Pompidou in Paris. With their look of improvisation the small parasites build a strong contrast to the highly technical appearing “Refinery” – this is how Parisians call the Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers building from 1977.

'Huts' on the facade of Centre Pompidou in Paris by Tadashi Kawamata, photo by Hervé Véronèse, Centre Pompidou, 2010

“Based on his analysis of the architecture of the Centre Pompidou and the way it fits into the surrounding urban fabric, the artist has imagined a space covered in cardboard for the Galerie des enfants. Like most of his projects, it is a “work in progress ”. The project, begun by the students and teams of the Centre Pompidou, will be completed by visiting parents and children following the rules the artist has conceived for the game.”

'Huts' on the facade of Centre Pompidou in Paris by Tadashi Kawamata, photo by Hervé Véronèse, Centre Pompidou, 2010